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Do you have any random packing tips you discovered unintentionally? Here are six of mine!
Packing Light Tips: Unintentionally-Learned
Written By: Nina Thomas
Although these tips may seem like a random assortment, they are the kinds of things you learn by accident or out of necessity. They have now become guidelines I follow regularly on my trips. I call these my “unintentionally-learned” packing tips. Every traveler has these them. Here are mine!
Underwear
They don’t take up much space, but you don’t have to bring a ton of pairs if you use this trick. You can wash them in the sink with a little body wash, but some pairs take much longer to dry than others. One type of underwear that dries quickly is all-lace panties. Some all-lace panties come with a cotton strip that can be washed easily and dries quickly.
Check out the best travel underwear for women!
Adjustable necklaces
Instead of bringing necklaces in various lengths, you can opt for a style like this one that can be worn long or short. All you have to do is adjust the straps and you have the right necklace length for any shirt cut.
Here are some tips on traveling with jewelry!
Leggings with pockets
Leggings are a great choice for travel. While they take up less space, they can often times look too sporty or revealing. Stretch legging-style pants with back pockets are a good alternative. Pants like these pack well, look great with sweaters, dresses or t-shirts, and are comfortable enough to sleep in on the plane.
Find out the best leggings for women that travel!
Button-downs
I’m a huge fan of the button-down, as you can wear it with a skirt and tights, with jeans and boots, under a sweater for an extra layer, etc. I also discovered that a loose button-down makes a great sleep shirt or bathing suit cover-up. A button-down tunic like this one is long enough to cover essential areas, and is breathable for the beach or for sleeping. Talk about an all-purpose clothing item!
A button-down top also acts as a light jacket. Here are a few other lightweight jackets for summer!
Coconut Oil
If you haven’t discovered the magic of coconut oil, you need to try it. I’m still discovering new uses for it daily, but it’s a wonder for travel beauty routines. You can use it on your skin, for your lips and even as conditioner, saving you yet more space in your toiletry bag.
Another way to use scented coconut oil is as deodorant. There are recipes for mixing coconut oil, baking soda and essential oils together to make a paste (and baking soda will help with sweat absorption) which I’ve tried and works great. Another way is to simply apply coconut oil to your underarms. A lot of women swear by it, give it a try!
Keeping your clothing fresh
If you’ve got a tight itinerary and have packed light, you’re probably rewearing your clothing items. If you don’t have time to hand wash clothing, make sure to air them out after using them to avoid scents. Instead of looking for a laundry mat, hang your clothes up in the bathroom, take a nice hot shower and allow the soap aromas to shower steam your clothing for you. (This also gets rid of wrinkles!)
Read this post on how to do the laundry while traveling!
What are your tips on how to pack light? Comment your tips below!
For more tips on how to pack light, please read the following:
- 75 Packing Tips that Will make Your Travels So Much Easier
- How to Fit Everything in a Carryon (Video Tutorial)
- Ten Step Packing Guide to Travel Anywhere in One Bag
- Confused About the Best Luggage Organizer? Read this
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Author Bio: Nina Thomas is constantly looking for a beautiful view and a good adventure. Her travel highlights include horseback riding in the Ecuadorian Andes, hiking on top of Mount Etna in Sicily, and sheep-gazing in the Cotswolds. For more practical travel tips and ideas from a Central Ohio Girl, check out Traveling with Nina or follow her on Twitter.
Hi,
Great ideas! I go for 16″ twisted wire necklaces in silver and gold, and now one grey-black titanium. I wear anything from a fancy bead to a moissonite or CZ solitaire. The wires are slightly different length so show up well…especially if you have bayonet clasps on each, which tend to disappear while wearing. You can get a lot of variety out of this combo or single wire. No knotted chain either! I usually find something new to add for every trip, always fun, and a small memory too.
Hi Connie, thank you for your great tip!
The Laundress makes some really nice fabric sprays with antibacterial properties that are travel size and smell great! I took the Fabric Fresh spray with me in my carryon for a 3 week trip to germany and spain. I just sprayed my clothes after wearing and hung them to air out. It worked perfectly.
Thanks Audra! That’s a great tip 🙂
I swear by the coconut oil which is so versatile. Hadn’t tried it as deodorant but will do soon. Thanks for the tips
Thanks Jenni!
Thanks for the tips Briar 🙂
Thanks Jacqui!
I like the button down shirt ideas. I will check out the versatile coconut oil.
Thanks Rebecca!
I lay out all my clothes and ensure they all mix and match. 1 pair sandals,1pair shoes\trainers. 4 pairs undies and panty liners extend their wear.I cardigan. Travel in leggings and long shift or dress.
As always with Travel Fashion Girl, some really helpful advice. Thanks so much!
A really versatile necklace that I love for travel is “The Sutton” by Stella and Dot. This necklace can be worn five different ways. It comes in gold, silver, mixed metal or multi-colored. (My personal favorite is silver.) Since it can be worn both short or long, it is suited to almost any neckline. It is a bit pricey (at $128), but for me it removes the need to pack any other necklaces; so that does make it worth it. Besides, when you travel the difference between a “good” outfit and a “great” outfit could be as simple as a the perfect necklace.
http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/sutton-silver
Wow that’s an AWESOME piece! Thank you for sharing it with us 🙂 Totally worth the price tag. Might have to add this to my collection, too!
These are awesome tips! Do you have any recommendations on where to find adjustable necklaces? Thank you! 🙂
This is one recommended by a reader: http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/sutton-silver Pricey, but looks amazing!
These are awesome tips! Do you have any recommendations for places to find adjustable necklaces? Thank you!
Amanda,
One that works well, is a fairly heavy (think sturdy) Rollo chain in whatever your longest preference is. The rings are large enough to hook the clasp through wherever you wish. I have one in silver that I trade off with my twisted wire pieces. Works every time….just check the clasp with the links to be certain they are large enough.
Great tips Nina, I particularly like the uses of coconut oil and the adjustable necklace.
Thanks Briar!
The tip on the underwear is spot on. I always hand wash them while I’m in the shower, even at home. Perfect for travel, you don’t have to pack as many and you never run out of clean undies. Win-win.
Thanks Marlene!